Starbucks “Hot Chocolaty”

The latest and greatest indulgence from Starbucks is a "signature hot chocolate." They are capitalizing on the growing popularity of premium chocolate products.

The "new" hot chocolate is different from the original – it contains four types of West African cocoa, and it is more chocolaty, and less based on milk.

Chocolate, Sweet Chocolate

It is true; chocolate really can be good for you! Consuming chocolate can have health benefits. Chocolate contains flavonoids, naturally occurring substances that provide certain health benefits, especially for the heart.

Raw cocoa contains flavonoids. These substances have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are believed to reduce the number of free radicals in the body that contribute to medical problems, such as heart disease and cancer. Unsweetened cocoa powder contains the most antioxidants, followed by dark chocolate and then milk chocolate.

Chocolate is produced from the beans of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). The beans are harvested, cleaned, dried, roasted and broken down into small pieces known as "nibs." The cocoa nibs are then ground into a thick mixture that contains cocoa butter and cocoa particles. Further processing then separates the cocoa powder from the cocoa butter.

Dark chocolate is made from cocoa, cocoa butter and sugar. Milk chocolate is made from cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar, milk and flavoring. Unsweetened chocolate is made from cocoa powder and some refined cocoa butter, but because it is very bitter in taste, it is usually only use for baking.

To get the most health benefits from chocolate, consume it in small quantities, eat better quality chocolates (ones with a higher percent of cocoa) because they are richer in antioxidants. Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate (dark chocolate has less fat and sugar, and higher levels of flavonoids), and choose hot cocoa over eating a chocolate bar.

Pregnant Women + Chocolate = Happy Babies

A study states that pregnant women eating chocolate daily had babies that were more active and react positively – such as smiling and laughing. Also these same babies showed less fear to new situations.

The effects that were observed could have been a result from the chemicals in chocolate; that are associated with positive mood; being passed from mom to baby.

Some are skeptical that while chocolate can stimulate the release of "the happy hormone" it is unlikely that this could affect the baby.

There is a warning for pregnant women, against over-indulging in chocolate. The study does prove a little chocolate can be a good thing, for all.

Americans Spending Billions for Halloween

It is that time of year for parties, costumes, caramel apples and the ringing of door bells and hearing those words "trick or treat."

Americans will spend $2.1 billion on candy this year for Halloween. That is roughly $7 for every man, women and child.

Daily Indulgences

Consumers in the United States view rich gourmet chocolate as and "indulgent pleasure." Most Americans are not willing to give up their chocolate despite the tight economic environment.

Market researchers place chocolate in the same bracket as cigarettes and alcohol; people must or will have them. Some are cutting back or switching brands but are definitely not giving up their small "daily indulgences." Americans feel they are entitled to these small rewards.

Dark chocolates are particularly popular; which stems from the healthy image of dark chocolate. Some dark chocolates are higher in sugar, but very rich in antioxidants and are lower in fat than milk chocolate.

Chocoholics know, and enjoy.

Food Temptations Maybe a Good Thing

Dieters are told time and time again to banish tempting foods from their surroundings. But a study suggests that keeping some sweet treats around could be a good way to build will power.

Researchers found women showed greater self-control when they had previously been confronted with sweet treats that they had access to – rather than just a picture of smells.

The study implicated that challenging oneself to resist temptation maybe more effective than banning all sweets and snack foods from ones house. Tempting foods can actually increase willpower, keep the food threat around — the idea is that tempting foods trigger a person’s "self-control strategies."

A conclusion: trying to remove all tempting foods from your daily life may not be the best weight-loss solution. Self-control can be trained!

In fact; if you avoid food temptations by banning them, you will never or rarely experience self-control conflict. This means that when food temptations arise, as they will, dieters will not have the will power to resist.

Freshness of Chocolates

Studies have been made, about how fresh are the chocolates we eat. The range is between one month to eleven months before the consumer can buy most chocolate bars. Some are made so they "can" be stored or eaten a year or more after being produced.

But most consumers want fresh chocolates. Fresh gourmet chocolates are shipped to the consumer within a few days of being made. Chocolatiers make chocolates when an order is placed. The chocolates should be eaten soon after opening the box, to ensure freshness in every bite. The rich chocolate morsels are made for eating not storing.

Celebrate the Seasons

Summer is over, fall is here! Cooler nights, warm fires and the holiday celebrations. First Halloween, then Thanksgiving and yes only 79 days to Christmas!!

Halloween is a time for celebrations, play parties, carving pumpkins, bobbing for apples, public events to celebrate the harvest and to go "trick or treating." That means free candy. Lots of good free candy!!

Thanksgiving; the Pilgrims and Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. Meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Celebrations of thanks have great meaning and importance, especially the Thanksgiving feast. Be thankful for what you have: family, friends and health. Share with others around you.

Christmas is another time for celebration! Children hang stockings, hoping they will be filled with treats. Trees are decorated with ornaments, lights, popcorn, nuts, cookies, and candy canes. And always the sharing of gifts. Giving is always better than receiving. Everyone loves chocolate and as a gift it is always appropriate.

Adam & Eve Knew Not How Good An Apple Could Be!

The fall season brings thoughts of school, cozy sweaters, leaves changing to vibrant oranges and reds, pumpkins, and delicious crunchy, sweet apples. Apples tempted Adam and Eve, tested the marksmanship of William Tell, and helped Sir Isaac Newton discover gravity. Johnny Appleseed roamed the land planting apple seeds and apple seedlings.

An Apple A Day

Starting in September fresh apples are in abundance, with about 7,000 varieties worldwide. Research tells us that apples promote good health! There is wisdom behind the old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples are fat free, high in fiber, have cancer fighting antioxidants, can reduce cholesterol levels, contain many essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. They are beneficial to ones skin, teeth, nerves, digestive system, and overall health.

Sweet and Delicious

Add a little (or a lot) of sweetness to this healthy snack with sticky, gooey, sweet handmade caramel. A caramel apple is a delicious, popular sweet treat, consisting of a crisp, tart, juicy apple, that is impaled on a stick (for easy handling) and smothered in rich handmade creamy caramel. Some have taken this sweet treat to new and decadent heights. They simply start with a caramel apple and hand decorate it with wonderful, unbelievable toppings, and then drench it in premium, quality, rich gourmet chocolate. A great way to satisfy a chocolate craving and keep the doctor away.

The use of candies, marshmallows, many kinds of nuts, cereal, peanut butter, graham crackers, chocolate chips, dried fruits, and even cookies has projected caramel apples to a delectable height of their own. The decadency of it all, a wonderful crisp apple, creamy caramel, nuts and sweet, rich chocolate. The gourmet chocolate is usually a choice; America’s favorite milk, the over looked white, the sensuous dark or even a combination of chocolates. Chocolate has the power to captivate unlike any other food, and the endorphins will make one feel good.

Fall time is a fantastic time to sample apples, of any kind. Adam and Eve Knew Not How "Good" An Apple Could Be!!!